ABSTRACT
The VOC Castle was a bounded space, occupied by hundreds of people from diverse backgrounds who generated large quantities of garbage. The archaeological residues confirm the broad archival dates of occupancy and point unmistakably to VOC identity of its occupants. Archaeological excavations began in the confines and surrounds of the Castle around late 1975 as part of a massive restoration project under the auspices of the Public Works Department. The most extensive archaeological work was done between 1988 and 1992 by the Archaeology Contracts Office at the University of Cape Town, under the leadership of Professor Martin Hall and the field direction of David Halkett. The floor of the vaulted chamber of the Old Granary was excavated between April 29 and September 9, 1988 by the Archaeology Contracts Office under the direction of David Halkett. Archaeological research at Oudepost revealed a land-based settlement and a dumping area in the intertidal zone.
